FORMER MSP Tommy Sheridan was freed from prison today after serving just over one year of his three-year sentence for lying under oath.

FORMER MSP Tommy Sheridan was freed from prison today after serving just over one year of his three-year sentence for lying under oath.

The 47-year-old was walked out of Castle Huntly prison near Dundee shortly after 10am.

His wife Gail went to the open prison this morning and they left together, being driven away.

The politician and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant was jailed on January 26 last year for committing perjury during his successful defamation action against the News of the World in 2006.

He was awarded £200,000 in damages after winning the civil case but a jury at the High Court in Glasgow found him guilty of lying about the now-defunct tabloid's claims that he was an adulterer who visited a swingers' club.

Trial judge Lord Bracadale subsequently handed the former leader of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) a three-year jail sentence, telling him his decision to pursue the Sunday tabloid for defamation "brought the walls of the temple crashing down" on him.

Speaking outside his Glasgow home, Sheridan said he intends to launch a fresh appeal against his conviction, and fight for an independent Scotland.

He said his "gagging order" was lifted earlier today.

Sheridan said: "It is a relief to be able to speak personally for once. It seems a long time now since I have been able to speak.

"It's been an absolute delight to be back home with my beautiful wife who I love dearly, and my daughter Gabrielle who I have missed beyond words are able to describe.

"Up until a couple of hours ago, I didn't know I was going to be able to speak. Up until a couple of hours ago I was still gagged.

"I was told two hours ago that that gag has now been lifted. Unfortunately, although I am not to be gagged today, I will be tagged."

He added: "I want to thank the thousands of ordinary folk across Scotland and further afield who have taken time to write to me, send me cards and letters, contact me on Facebook and to show their solidarity with me and my family throughout this difficult 12 months.

"I would like to thank them for being so human and so warm and respecting the fact that although we lost a trial in December of last year, we will continue to fight to clear my name.

"And we are determined to highlight the contrasts in treatment between the 20-plus - I've lost count of the number of - News of the World former journalists who have been arrested.

"I have not read of any of them who have had their homes raided over a mammoth nine-hour search, or their children traumatised in the interests of justice.

"Apparently they handed themselves in at the stations. Well, I've got news for them and for others: this fight is far from over. This story has not yet finished. I believe that I will return to Glasgow High Court in the near future."

Sheridan claimed "witnesses" had lied during his perjury trial and said he would have "a strong appeal that will hopefully lead to the quashing of my unfair, unsafe and unsound conviction".

He added: "I have to also say, however, that in the 12 months I have been away, things have not got any better for ordinary working-class folk. Wages have been cut, prices have increased and the Con-Dem millionaire Government wants to make ordinary folk pay for a crisis that was nothing to do with them.

"I look forward to re-engaging in the battle for justice and against inequality and poverty, and I also look forward to engaging in the campaign to deliver Scotland not just as an independent country but as an independent socialist country as well.

"I thank once again all of those who have stuck by me, my family and my friends. But most of all, I thank my wife Gail."

His lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said the new appeal is related to the outcome of the police investigation into alleged perjury during Sheridan's trial.

Mr Anwar said: "Tommy is delighted to be back at home with his family. He intends to make up for lost time as best he can.

"I have been instructed to prepare a new appeal which will be related to the outcome of Strathclyde Police's investigation into allegations of phone hacking and perjury at Tommy's trial.

"Tommy was told before Christmas by the Scottish Prison Service that on release he could not speak directly to the media. Such a condition would have been a draconian attack on his right to free speech.

"Over the weekend we stated this would be illegal and challenged it in the courts. The authorities have come to their senses and a gagging order will not be imposed."

Sheridan will be tagged later today and under the terms of his release will have to stay at home between 7.15pm and 7.15am.

Before they returned to a party inside the house, Mr and Mrs Sheridan shared an emotional kiss on their doorstep.